Kavitha of Chennai, says, “Acid attacks mutilate and maim the victim, condemning her to lifelong isolation and emotional anguish. I have gone through this so I know. My husband threw acid on me because he lost his cool. It was like burning in hell then and even later when the physical hurt subsided. I nearly lost my eye sight. It has been hard to come to terms with what happened. But I have. Three years after the incident I am a different person. My perspective to life has changed. I see my present condition to be a ‘rebirth’ and work to lend hope for victims like me. I work with a campaign ally and volunteer my services at the burns unit of the Kilpak Medical College Hospital where many women like me are admitted. They come in devastated, with little hope and even less will for life. For them, it is a time of life when everyone has walked away – a time when they help and huge emotional support. Acid attacks are a serious crime against women and only punitive legal action and a dramatic change in attitudes and practices towards women will end it. My husband is serving his sentence his jail. I only hope his mindset changes too.”